World Cup 2010 FANS!

Bendtner is sidelined as a result of the recurrence of a troublesome groin injury and Wenger admits that the Denmark international will not be available for the season-opener against Liverpool on August 15.

“Bendtner will not be available for the start of the season,” Wenger said.

Bendtner had surgery on the troublesome problem back in November and it is unclear how long he will be out of action for.

“We don’t know (how bad it is),” he added.

Wenger also has concerns over Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie’s availability for the trip to Anfield.

Both players have yet to return to training following their World Cup exertions with Spain and the Netherlands and Wenger is concerned that neither will be ready for the start of the campaign.

“Fabregas and Van Persie are due to come back on August 5 and from then on we will see how much build-up work is needed physically and as well how they have recovered mentally from the World Cup,” the Frenchman is quoted as saying on Arsenal’s website.

“They might be short for the first game but I don’t know, that will depend on the fitness work they have done during the holiday.”

Arsene Wenger will be without Nicklas Bendtner for the start of the Premier League season.